Polaroid may have taken a few knocks since the introduction of digital cameras, but have come out swinging with the latest addition to their product range. The DRA 01601A DVD recorder has more features than a box full of remote controls.

Take a look at the specifications.

• Records up to 204 hours of media on the 160GB built-in hard disc drive (No subscription needed)
• Includes YesDVD Software to create DVDs at the touch of a button
• HDMI connection for easy connection to your flat panel
• Built-in ATSC digital and NTSC analog tuners
• YesDVD enabled indexing, auto chaptering, organization, and sharing of multi-media content
• Front USB and SD card reader ports
• Simultaneous DVD playback and record movie on hard disc
• Record in different quality and length (HQ, SP, LP, EP, SLP)
• Easy one-touch recording with auto index creation
• 30-second skip lets you jump over commercials for commercial-free viewing
• 10-second replay allows you to go back 10 seconds to replay what you missed
• Easy editing on recorded video content
• Records to DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW
• Plays DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, music CDs, CD-R/RW
• JPEG image compatible
• Progressive scan (480p) video output
• Front panel VFD display
• HDMI output
• Front USB and SD card reader ports
• Front audio/video output
• Front IEEE 1394 input
• S-video output
• Coaxial digital audio output
• 2-Channel audio output

That is an impressive list of specs, and the Polaroid DRA 01601A DVD recorder is certainly a well built piece of equipment, but I have a feeling DVD recorders are about to get a whole lot better, and I would be tempted to wait a while before investing. If you have to have one this Christmas, this is certainly a good buy though.

Here are some DVD Recorders from Amazon.com:

• Philips DVDR615 DVD Recorder
• Daewoo DVRS04 DVD Recorder/Hi-Fi VCR Combo
• Panasonic DMRE85HS Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 120 GB Hard Drive Recording
• Panasonic DMR-E75VS Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/VCR Combo